Emergency rain garment



July 6, 1948. v. E. WALSTON EMERGENCY RAIN GARMENT Filed Sept. 11, 1946 I Verne .Ef Wls'ibn Patented July 6, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EMERGENCY RAIN GARMENT Verne Walston, Pataskala, Ohio Application September 11, 1946, Serial No. 696,303

. or hand bag.

The invention has for its general object the provision of an inexpensive, lightweight emergency rain cape, which may be easily folded into a relatively small compact mass and conveniently carried within the pocket or hand bag of a user, or may be compactly stored in an oflice desk or other accessible location for future use in the event of adverse weather.

It is another object of my invention to provide an emergency rain cape of this character which, due to its simplified construction and low manufacturing costs, plus its compactibility, anticipates volume production and inexpensive retail sale through vending machines placed advantageously in business offices, drug stores, restaurants or the like.

These, and many other objects and advantages of my invention will become readily apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved rain cape;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view illustrating the single blank from which my improved rain cape is formed;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the inclusion of a drawstring to the cape; N

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the completed ape;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view disclosing the hood folded backwardly upon the cape when the same is not utilized for protection.

Referring now to the drawing, it will be noted that the rain cape embodying the present invention is formed from an integral blank which is cut to conform to the general configuration disclosed in Fig. 3. The cape may be formed from thin sheets of numerous types of synthetic resins which possess the necessary Water-repellent characteristics. In a preferred and most inexpensive form, Cellophane may be utilized. However, if durability and toughness is desired, the rain cape may be formed from the more expensive resins, such as Koroseal or ethyl cellulose resin.

More specifically, the blank, as shown in Fig. 3, is cut to form a rectangular head portion In 1 Claim. (Cl. 2-84) joined with a relatively larger rectangular body portion H. After cutting, a length of tape or string I2 is positioned just below the upper edge of the body portion, and the upper edge folded downwardly upon itself; at which time a hem i3 is formed by stitching, cementing, or otherwise joining the two plies together. Next, the head portion ll] is folded upwardly and again folded along its transverse axis to form two adjoining upper edges. These edges are then folded inwardly and joined together, as at 15, by stitchin or cementing. Thus the head portion is transformed into an opened face hood Id.

In use, the hood I4 is positioned over the head of a wearer with the ends of the tape l2 tied together about the neck, so as to allow the body portion I l to drape from the shoulders to surround the arms and body of the wearer.

To adapt the rain cape for use by people of various sizes, the body portion II, when out, is suitably weakened by perforating to provide severance lines l6 along its outer and lower edges, which severance lines are spaced from the respective edges so as to provide segments which may be conveniently torn away to shorten the length of the cape and to decrease the width thereof.

The body II is further provided with two sets of slits I! and [8 respectively, through which the hands of a wearer may be passed forwardly or downwardly to extend externally of the cape in order that articles such as packages or suitcases may be carried while wearing the cape.

The hood I!) of the garment may be sufficiently extended in length so that it projects forwardly of the head of the wearer, in order that the forwardly extending portion may be turned down to protect the face of the wearer from the elements if it should be so desired. If not, however, the forwardly projecting portion may be folded back upon the hood so that it will be out of the way.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that my improved rain cape provides a highly simplified emergency garment which affords protection for the wearer against light rain or snow. The cape may readily be constructed from inexpensive water-repellent material, and when so formed, contemplates a garment which may be sold at prices permitting the purchase of several at one time, which may be placed respectively at the home, office, or in the pocket or hand bag of a user. Due to its lightness of weight and its flexibility, the same may be folded into a relatively small compact bulk for convenient storage or carrying, and is at all times accessible for emersingle integral blank formed from a water repellent material and including head and body per tions, said head portion being foldedalong; itstransverse axis and united along its upper edge to form an opened front head-receivinghood; said body portion being folded and united along. its

upper edge to form a hem, and aflexible t'ie connector carried within said hem, said connector:

when united serving to drawthe garment about theneckrot awearerwith thebody portion draped 5 10 1. An emergency rain garment comprising a 4 from the shoulders and surrounding the arms and body of the wearer, the lower and outer edges of said body portion being weakened to provide spaced severance lines whereby portions of said garment may be removed to adapt the same for use by wearers of various sizes.

VERNE E. WALSTON.

REFERENCES CITED "The following references are: ofi record: in the meet this patent:

v UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 Number.

Name Date 15 1,603,501 Yenn Oct. 19, 1926 2513363 89 Richards Nov. 15, 1938 2,368,272 Sydenham et al Jan. 30, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 20 Number Country Date 87,055? France Apr. 4,1930 

